Imagine growing up in a mining supply town 250 miles north of Toronto.  While it may sound a bit remote, life in the Clark home was anything but dull.

Ross Clark was one of 9 siblings, and describes life in his large family as "competitive", especially at the dinner table.  "It was survival of the fastest and loudest," he reflects.  "Conversations were loud and dominating.  My mother was likea traffic cop, just trying toget it all done."

As VP of Sales, Ross has been with Germany-based Chiron for 23 years, and has the distinction of being the longest term employee of their North American group.   First hired as a Proposal/Project Engineer in 1988, Ross moved from Canada to Arizona  in 1991, then three years later to Charlotte, N.C.  In 1997, Ross was promoted to National Sales Manager "I was all about getting the task done in an efficient manner.  I didn't always take into account the people involved."

Weren't you already a high-performing individual before you came to Carolina Business Coach?  

Yes.   However,  I respect that Chiron invests in their people.  And as someone who's always wanted to be the best that I could be, I came to it with an open mind.

What would you like others to know about working with your coachHarvey Smith?  

Harvey's initial message was:  We are here for you, and we want you to see who you are and build on who you are. That made it clear to me that I wasn't simply a project for a paycheck.  Harvey wasn't going to try to change me, but to help me identify myself.  I was moving so quickly to get things done that my people skills became secondary.   Harvey has focused me on assessing myself in ways that I never did, and using my strengths to be this person who I really want to be.  In a nutshell, he's helped me to find my grand purpose in life. "

And you got that all in the first meeting?  (Ross laughs)

Harvey helped me with constant reflection and some great steering and inspired me to want to create my legacy.  He has a way of peeling back the layers of the onion--going back to the fundamentals
that helped me identify where the work needed to be done.  I decided that I had to tear down the house I've built to build a better house.

What  kind of attitude shift, if any, have you made?

As I said earlier, being my best used to be getting the task done in an efficient manner.  Now my best is:  Did everyone get something good out of this? I'm driven to be an
inspiring leader.

In what ways has your coaching work helped you develop a more positive relationship with your staff and management? 

I'm working on developing trust and a deeper appreciation for each staff member; as a result, the quality of engagement is more open and pleasant now.  I'm told I'm calmer and less aggressive.  I've strengthened my relationship with management. There's a genuine joy factor for me when someone leaves my office feeling good.

Anything else?

I enjoy work more.  I'm a better listener, too.  And I'm still a work in progress.

What discoveries have you made about the "grand purpose" that you referenced earlier?

As Stephen Covey says,  "Begin with the end in mind. " You want to leave behind a good, positive messageand have people be happy to know you.

Ready to write or rewrite your  own success story?  Call us today executive and entrepreneurial coaching, professional development workshops and team building.

 704-604-1655 or email:  [email protected]